As Hays County deals with increased growth and development, residents are being asked to give a little of their time and some thought as to where they’d like to see the County direct its Parks, Open Space and Natural Areas planning efforts.

“Fewer than 50 people showed up for our initial planning meetings in late March,” said Jeff Hauff, Grants Administrator for Hays County. “In a county our size, where so many people feel a connection to the outdoors, we’d like to see better attendance and gather more input at our meetings.”

Polling at the first meetings indicated that many of those who attended agreed that the County was providing adequate opportunities for public input into the Parks, Open Spaces and Natural Areas Master Plan planning process.

“However, we want to make sure that everyone who has an interest in the type and amount of parks space in Hays County understands that the plan we’re developing will guide our efforts for years,” Hauff said, “and it is important that we hear as many visions from our residents as we can.” The original Parks Master Plan was developed in 2000, with updates done in 2006.

The next round of planning meetings will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 in Kyle at the County Precinct 2 Building, 111 N. Front St. and Thursday, April 21 in Dripping Springs at City Hall, 511 Mercer Street. More information is available at www.co.hays.tx.us/ParksMasterPlan or by contacting Jeff Hauff at 512.393.2209.